Week 26 2025 One Daily Positive and Project 365

I forgot to mention last week that I found a pension from 15 years ago that I could add to my pot of all the bits of pensions I've ever had and called a financial advisor who will look into it for me.

I also did my self assessment tax return. No idea why I got asked to one this year, as I'd finished being a landlord 3 years ago and didn't think I'd be asked again after paying the Capital Gains tax on the flat.

I also sorted out the HSBC holiday insurance that comes with our account, finally getting round to doing the screening, now I've been officially diagnosed with migraines, even though I've had them for 50+ years.

I've also been applying for several jobs in local schools. From TA to cover teacher positions.

Day 174

Work ok after I'd braved the tears about not going in. Tired, still headachy and emotionally drained. I really don't need the hassle of finding a new job and starting over with people. I've a new colleague who looked a bit perplexed with my reasons for men day off work on Friday. I had to explain our daughter had died last year and I just was feeling sad. Took myself for a coffee after work to fill in more job applications, then a bit of shopping and home for dinner, a bath and an early night.

My last ever PG Tips pyramid bag.

Day 175

Up at 8am and a mad dash to work. I got in before the second bell and wondering why I bother going in early every day anyway. 1st lesson was manic with year 7s and 8s and a mixture of topics being covered. I prefer it when we're all doing maths or English, but my students have difficulty coming into school and it's nice to be able to help them with their individual needs. Using I only have 4-5 students max but occasionally this happens and I've got 8. Getting 8 into school in one go, takes a lot of time and effort. Straight home, fell asleep reading my book for an hour, managed to stay awake till 10pm and after my bath straight to bed to read again. I was offered an interview at the other school in the town.

Hubby fixed the bubble machine.

Day 176 

Didn't have a good nights sleep, off to work and had my back to work interview after a day off on Friday. The simple version was a migraine, but my line manager got the long version of not feeling valued. A hot day, the students were flagging despite the fan on. I prepped some English and maths for when I'm at my interview on Tuesday morning. Met Peter at the coffee shop and bought some food and drink for my students for my birthday tomorrow. In bed by 9pm having started a new book.

Baked cakes for work colleague.

Day 177 

Happy Birthday to me. A day in work after opening my presents from Peter, a little party at form time, a couple of gifts and cards from students and colleagues and home for a BBQ and a glass of wine or two. Teaching English poetry all day, my brain was addled. Home to a delivery of flowers and gifts. Friend dropped a gift round and stayed for a while. We watched TV. Bags packed for our camping trip on the weekend.

Day 178 

Slept well, work, then Peter collected me and we drove to Porthcawl and set the van up for the weekend. We’re in a pub car park near the beach.

Day 179

We walked the coast from Porthcawl to Rest Bay, had a coffee and walked back, via the town and arcades. In the afternoon we set off for a paddle in the sea and it absolutely chucked it down. Went out for dinner, another visit to the arcades and back to the van to read.

Day 180 

Packed and left around 10.30am. Stopped at Bridgend for a coffee, nothing of interest in the shops. I finished reading my book while Peter drove. Home around 2pm and scorching hot. Watched a movie, did the washing, blogged, a bath and most definitely an early night.

Things to make you smile:

We bumped into Ruth Jones in Porthcawl, well I stepped out in front of her car. We both said 'isn't that Ruth Jones, she heard us and smiled. She was driving her mum.

I asked for gluten free fish, chips and curry sauce and was asked if I wanted gf salt and pepper. I thought she was taking the piss, but apparently gf vinegar is a thing.

Things that made me happy:

Friends, birthday, flowers and camping. I also got a ticket to the first home game of the season at Birmingham City in August.

On the blog this week:

Word of the week - Birthday

Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week

My garden in June

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Word of the week - Birthday

I turned 54 on Thursday.

Although I was in work, I had a really good day, thoroughly spoilt by family and friends. A BBQ for dinner and camping in South Wales this weekend.

It was a hard day without Stephanie, every day is.

I baked a carrot cake for my work colleagues and I shared the treats I would normally have had with Stephanie, with my students.

The flowers I've received are beautiful. The last time we had this many flowers was when Stephanie died, but these are bright, colourful and happy flowers. 

Peter and I don't tend to buy much for one another on the actual day of our birthdays, but we do buy things together that we know the other wants. So I had a leather satchel using some money from my mum and a pair of sandals and new running shoes (I don't run, but they're perfect for a dodgy achilles) 

I've enough bubbles till Christmas, I love receiving toiletries, I know many people don't, plus plenty of candles and there are lots of things to add to the garden, including this gorgeous pot from my DIL. There are also some cute signs to add to the garden.

I've got a new book and some gorgeous writing paper to keep me busy also.

Post Comment Love - 27th-29th June 2025

Welcome back to #PoCoLo with Stephanie from Bosworth.Life and I.

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week. If you're new or a regular visitor we're sure you'll find something of interest.

Another week of summer which has led to late nights as the evening just passes by before getting dark at 10pm. I've read 3 books this week and I'm planning another 2 over the weekend. The garden is now a lovely relaxing place to be. 

10pm on the solstice. The Malvern Hills in the back ground.

Birthday gift from DIL.

Peter fixed the bubble machine.

We'd also appreciate your help spreading the #PoCoLo word on Twitter, tag us and we'll RT. You can find us on twitter here: Stephanie - @BosworthLife and Suzanne - @ChickenRuby 

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the next few days. 

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My Garden in June 2025

I love the garden at this time of the year. There has been watering to do every evening, but the majority of the time has just been spent outside in the garden with a glass of Pimm's and a enjoyed many dinners.

There was also some tidying up after a weekend visit from our granddaughter.

I've done some weeding.

I've transplanted some seedlings and sown some more.

I've harvested some crops.

And there is more to come.

Melons, parsnips, potatoes, chilli, cucumber, pumpkins, beans, pak choi, radish, lettuce and beetroot

I've watched Stephanie's Rose flower in time for Father's Day and producing a third bloom for my birthday.

I've loved the light evenings. This photo was taken at 10.03pm on the solstice.

I'd sat outside at 4pm and was still reading. A whole night wasted, not really I read another book. The downside has been that I'm not getting into bed until gone 11pm and I'm shattered, despite not having done much. I think they call that Sod's Law.

I'm still waiting for the washing line to be re sited. The path still needs to be done, but the side of the shed is getting tidier and I can now walk down to the gate and front garden needs building up so the shrubs grow properly. 

I cut up an old pool noodle to protect the door handles from banging the walls.

There's always weeding to do and the lawn to me mown and the plants watered, but in general now, our garden is just a place to sit and enjoy.

Week 25 - One Daily Positive and Project 365

Glorious weather, but a bit too much for me with my headaches and on Friday after a late night on Thursday and the sad news that my aunt in America had died, I decided not to go into work on the Friday.

Whilst I love the light evenings also, I find myself pottering around and sitting outside till 10pm not realising how late it is and I've not been getting into bed before 11pm, which is late for me.

Day 167 #onedailypositive #project365 Didn’t want to go to work I was tired and headachy and had stomach ache tummy. I left work at lunch via the post office. At home I staked up plants and sat reading my book till bedtime at 10pm. 

Day 168 #onedailypositive #project365 view from the camper van. After a hot day in work we drove to Castlemorton for a picnic. Started a new book The Serial Killers Wife. Home to water the garden and the next 3 hours spent in my hanging chair outside until I’d finished reading it.

Day 169 #onedailypositive #project365 Not feeling it in work anymore. Only 4 weeks to go. No visit from our hedgehog which made me feel a bit sad. Home from work and a tidy round. Read my book in the garden until my friend arrived for a BBQ. Watered the garden, bath and bed. 

Day 170 #onedailypositive #project365Stephanie’s rose in full flower. Home from work via the nail bar and a coffee. Several jobs applied for. A few people in work surprised me today, some really off and a cheery hello from another who usually ignores me. I read in the garden, watered the plants, had a bath, drunk tea and off to bed.

Day 171 #onedailypositive #projectt365 I’d had a headache on and off during the week and after a late night I woke up with a migraine, no work and day spent avoiding the sun and heat. Stayed in bed till lunchtime then pottered around looking at photos for a new frame. Olive the dog was dropped off for the weekend. Pushkins went into hiding. Peter visited his mum then brought our granddaughter home for the weekend also. She had the paddling pool out, we ate outside, bath time stories and bed. I then sat in the garden reading.

Day 172 #onedailypositive #project365 I managed a lie in till 9am. Peter wasn’t so lucky he was woken at 7am. A day out at Witley Court, some welcomed rain. An ice cream, picnic, play in the park. Home to the garden and paddling pool. I got dinner ready while Peter took grandchild to the local park. Bath, story and bed. We tidied up the garden and lounge, bath and a late night.

Day 173 #onedailypositive #project365dropped granddaughter back home after visiting a friend on route. Cuddles with grandson. Home via a stop at Nags Head Reserve for a cup of tea and lunch with some reading. Met Peter for a coffee. The evening spent reading, a bath and an early night.

Something to make you smile:

Sunday morning our granddaughter announced she loved me because I was very kind. By the afternoon she was regretting those words. She told her mum that's she told me she loved me but couldn't remember why. I found this photo of my now 33 year old son, he was around 2 at the time. I remember buying this t shirt at Chepstow Market.

Things that made me happy:

Growing my own fruit and veg (fruit gets eaten as it ripens) having our granddaughter to stay, time on my own, books read, early birthday presents and a homemade gluten free cake baked by my DIL.

On the blog this week:

Word of the week - Sun
Post Comment Love - Link up with any post written this week
Stephanie's Rose 

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Word of the Week - Sun

It's been the most glorious week.

The sun has been shining.

BBQ's have been enjoyed.

Dresses have been worn.

Books have been read.

Pimm's has been drunk.

The flowers in the garden are out in bloom.

I'm sunburnt.

It's too hot to sleep.

There's little breeze.

I keep forgetting to water the plants.

My Achilles hurts from wearing sandals.

My head is thumping from too much sun.

But ...

I'm happy.

I love the outdoors.

Wearing a dress and sandals without having to fluff around with a jacket or remembering to carry an umbrella.

Leaving the table set up so it's ready for use, comfy and relaxing.

It reminds me of our lives abroad, a lifetime away now in South Africa and Dubai. 

Post Comment Love - 20th - 22nd June 2025

Welcome back to #PoCoLo with Stephanie from Bosworth.Life and I.

Post Comment Love #PoCoLo is a friendly weekly linky where you can link up any blog post you've written this week. If you're new or a regular visitor we're sure you'll find something of interest.

We'd also appreciate your help spreading the #PoCoLo word on Twitter, tag us and we'll RT. You can find us on twitter here: Stephanie - @BosworthLife and Suzanne - @ChickenRuby 

I'll be catching up with reading your posts, sharing and commenting over the next few days. 

What a lovely week we've had in Middle England. The sun has been out everyday and I've reopened my wardrobe that houses all my dresses and I've worn one to work everyday this week, teamed with a pair of sandals.

It's been lovely not having to fluff around with a cardigan/jacket and packing a waterproof just in case.

I've set the outdoor seating area up with seat cushions and a table cloth and been leaving it out all night. It gets a bit damp, but I don't mind when I take my tea out at 7am before work and enjoy the tranquility of the garden.

I've spent every evening in the garden reading, drinking Pimm's and had a friend round for a BBQ. 

Our granddaughter and a friend's dog is coming to stay for the weekend and we'll be off visiting an English Heritage Site and having another BBQ. 

Is the weather nice with you. Are you a sun seeker or prefer the shade?

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Stephanie's Rose

My mum bought us a 'in loving memory rose bush' on the 6th month anniversary of Stephanie's death. 

I always think 'anniversary' sounds like something to be celebrated. It's been 8 months since Stephanie died. I was counting in weeks and soon it'll be years before we know it. 

Stephanie will NEVER be forgotten, she is in my mind every day. There are photos and items of hers dotted around the house, that have always been with us, but her physical presence is missed and the ache in our hearts doesn't heal, nor does it get better with time, we're just learning to live with the hole she has left in our lives.

I planted the Rose with my grandson on the anniversary.

It flowered for Father's Day which made me really happy and hopefully it will flower the same time every year. 

Week 24 2025 One Daily Positive and Project365

A busy week in work, job applications sent and one interested phone call showing interest. The weather has been unpredictable and I got caught without a coat/umbrella and got drenched through. Been thinking a lot about Stephanie, I went to buy her a souvenir from Paris, I'm seeing everything Father's Day around and would normally buy something on her behalf for Peter. Also in my mind we are due a visit soon, probably would go this Sunday for coffee and a cake and a trip round B&M in Gloucester. We may just go anyway.

Day 160 After a delayed flight, Peter collected me and I got home and into bed around 2am. Awake at 6am and into work for the day. Met Peter for coffee afterwards, slept on the sofa for a bit, then watched TV, a bath and in bed by 9pm.

Day 161 Woke with an aura so took preventative meds. Work ok. I potted out some plants I bought from work and ended up cutting the neighbours hedge on our side and I baked some banana bread.

Day 162 Woke irritating. Drove up to Kidderminster to get water tap/pump in camper van fixed. Get there and we're told it's an easy fix and too buy a new pump off Amazon for £9.99. Came home via Starbucks and a call with our grandson. I did some more gardening, weeding the pots and I harvested the beetroot.

Day 163 Work a bit hectic, with me trying to be in two places at once all day and the printer not working. Heavy dour pour and I was absolutely drenched. Straight home after work and finally the desk, my planning and files and the dining room is clear again. I boiled the beetroot I picked yesterday. Watched TV, bath and an early night. 

Day 164 Awake early and drank tea outside and hung the washing up. Into work, a full but quietist day. Went for coffee and to do some blogging, then a food shop. Home to read a new book in the garden, bath and ready for bed waiting for son and family to arrive after a near by wedding.

Day 165 A lie in, breakfast and off to the Three Counties Show for the day, picnic, drinks, chill out and shopping. lots of things for the grandchildren to be involved with.

Day 166 What started out as a day we were dreading turned into a lovely day. We went for coffee, some shopping and a stop at Westbury upon Severn gardens.

Things to make you smile:

I got soaked through to the skin in the week, I mean absolutely drenched, my trousers didn't dry until after I got home from work.

Granddaughter super excited to see a dinosaur until it moved towards her.

Our cat is so tolerant of the grandchildren.

Things that made me happy:

Getting the dining room sorted finally. Coffee out. A hedgehog visiting us. Video calls with newest grandson. Wine and pizza. Plenty of gardening done this week, lots of just sitting in the garden and lots of reading.

On the blog this week:

Word of the Week - Paris (tourist tips)

Post Comment Love - Link up with any blog post written this week

Days out in the campervan May 2025

Answers to previous blog posts:

The main reason why I'm not wanting to get another job in a hurry is because I just don't think I can bring myself to start all over explaining Stephanie, her life and her death. I told a student I had 4 children when asked as it didn't feel appropriate to talk about Stephanie. Another student said 'don't forget your daughter'

Side effects of migraine meds, nausea, are more manageable than the migraines and if that's all I get, I'll take that over head pain any day.

The outfit my grandson was in, wasn't used by my son and his wife, they prefer neutral colours and baby blues, so I just put the put the outfit on for a photo.

Ages now: 30, 3 and 2 months. All around 6-7 weeks old when photos were taken.

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